Heart-Healthy Chicken Quesadillas
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of Heart-Healthy Chicken Quesadillas, a clever spin on a classic favorite that's packed with wholesome ingredients and bold spices. Featuring tender, seasoned chicken breast, black beans, and a colorful medley of sautéed red bell peppers, onions, and garlic, these quesadillas are nestled in whole grain tortillas, ensuring a fiber-rich base. Reduced-fat cheddar cheese adds a creamy touch without compromising your heart-healthy goals, while a dash of cumin and smoked paprika delivers smoky, aromatic depth. Served with a zesty avocado-lime guacamole, this quick and satisfying recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, taking just 40 minutes from start to finish. Delicious, nutritious, and perfect for a healthy lifestyle, these quesadillas promise to become a household favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 large boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 4 large whole grain tortillas
- 1 cup reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium red bell pepper
- 0.5 medium yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 0.5 cup black beans
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
- 1 small avocado
- 1 small lime
- 0.25 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Begin by dicing the chicken breast into small, bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
Finely chop the red bell pepper and yellow onion. Mince the garlic cloves.
Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and sauté for about 5 minutes, until lightly browned.
Add the chopped red bell pepper, onion, and minced garlic to the pan. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened.
Stir in the cumin powder, smoked paprika, black beans, freshly ground black pepper, and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for another 4-5 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and the spices are well incorporated.
Remove from heat and stir in the chopped fresh cilantro. Mix well to combine.
Lay a tortilla flat on a clean surface, and evenly distribute about a quarter of the chicken and vegetable mixture over half of the tortilla. Sprinkle a quarter of the shredded cheddar cheese over the mixture. Fold the other half of the tortilla over the filling.
Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.
Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place the quesadilla in the skillet and cook for about 3 minutes on each side, or until the tortilla is golden brown and the cheese has melted.
While the quesadillas are cooking, mash the avocado in a small bowl and mix with the juice of the lime to create a simple, heart-healthy guacamole.
Cut each quesadilla into wedges and serve immediately with a scoop of the avocado-lime guacamole on the side.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1624 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 76.8 g | 98% | |
| Saturated Fat | 22.9 g | 114% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 250 mg | 83% | |
| Sodium | 2567 mg | 112% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 137.0 g | 50% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 31.0 g | 111% | |
| Total Sugars | 13.1 g | ||
| Protein | 116.7 g | 233% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 1116 mg | 86% | |
| Iron | 13.2 mg | 73% | |
| Potassium | 2089 mg | 44% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
